Fegert's research journey brought him into dialogue with leading Israeli academics across disciplines. With Prof. Anat Ben-David (The Open University of Israel), the discussions centered around digital disinformation, Holocaust remembrance in the age of social media, and the influence of digital platforms on elections. Dr. Denisa Kera (Bar-Ilan University) provided a philosophical lens on the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, while Tom Divon (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) highlighted the importance of algorithmic fairness, particularly in the context of political discourse on platforms like TikTok.

The political and civic implications of digital networks were a recurring theme. Prof. Karine Nahon (Reichman University), both a leading academic and active voice in Israeli civil society, shared insights on power dynamics in digital spaces. Dr. Nir Grinberg (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) demonstrated how data science can help counter manipulation and enhance transparency in digital communication.

Legal perspectives were equally vital to the exchange. With Prof. Michael Birnhack (Tel Aviv University), Fegert discussed the regulatory tensions between freedom of expression, data protection, and platform oversight. Prof. Niva Elkin-Koren emphasized the need for closer collaboration between legal scholars and computer scientists to address the challenges of digital democracy. Dr. Gal Yavetz (Bar-Ilan University) offered a perspective on social media’s role in political mobilization and government communication.

Beyond academia, Fegert also met with Steffen Seibert, German Ambassador to Israel, to reflect on the resilience of Israeli civil society following the October 7 terrorist attacks, and the broader context of the ongoing war. The exchange highlighted the role of international academic collaboration, a theme also discussed with Hila Elroy from the Max Planck Society in Israel. A particularly stimulating encounter took place with Yishai Halper and Omer Benjakob from the oldest Israeli newspaper Haaretz, exploring the relationship between journalism, technology, and democratic discourse.

Fegert returned from Israel with lasting impressions. “Even after the trauma of October 7, civil society in Israel demonstrates remarkable strength. In the ‘Start-Up Nation,’ digital democracy is more than a technical issue – it is a deeply political one. There’s a lot we in Germany academia can learn from Israeli expertise and experience,” he reflected.

The outcomes of this journey will feed directly into the upcoming German-Israeli workshop on digital democracy, co-hosted in Berlin and Karlsruhe in July 2025.

Special thanks go to Maximiliane Linde, Pamela Pompas Oreiro, and Cosima Pfannschmidt for their outstanding work in organizing this program and building the foundation for future collaboration.